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Why does Acura steering get stiff or lose power assist?
Three Acura steering recalls, all built on Honda's shared electric power steering hardware and software. Two involve the gearbox itself. On the 2024 RDX, a steering gear box assembly that was not tightened properly lets water in, corroding the gears until they bind — the same defect that pulls in 2023-2024 Honda Odysseys. The 2023 Integra, along with the Integra Type S through 2025, is caught in a much larger Honda gearbox campaign over the worm gear spring and grease distribution, which makes steering hard to turn. The newest, from September 2025, is different in kind: the 2025 RDX's electric power steering software can be miscalibrated and drop into failsafe mode, cutting assist. RDX and Integra are the two Acura nameplates affected.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering that feels stiff, heavy, or binds as you turn the wheel
- Steering effort that changes or feels unusual, the sign Honda tells owners to act on
- Sudden loss of power steering assist, making the vehicle harder to control
- On the 2025 RDX, assist can drop out with no advance warning
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three notices tells owners to stop driving or to park outside, and none involves a fire risk. Honda's wording is consistent across all three: keep driving, but schedule the free repair right away, and see a dealer immediately if the steering starts to feel stiff, heavy, or otherwise wrong. The 2025 RDX software recall deserves the most urgency, because assist can disappear without warning. Until it is reprogrammed, expect much heavier effort if it fails and leave extra room in tight, low-speed turns.
What the free repair involves
The repair depends on which recall your Acura falls under. For the 2024 RDX gearbox corrosion, dealers replace the entire electric power steering rack. For the 2023 Integra, they replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as needed. For the 2025 RDX, they reprogram the EPS software. None is over-the-air; all work is done at the dealer, free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-05 | Acura RDX may suddenly lose power steering assist | high |
| 2024-10-03 | Honda and Acura steering gearbox may make steering difficult | high |
| 2024-02-15 | Honda Odyssey and Acura RDX steering can rust, bind | high |
Common questions
Is the Acura RDX covered by more than one steering recall?
Yes. The 2024 RDX falls under the February 2024 gearbox corrosion recall, and the 2025 RDX under a separate electric power steering software recall from September 2025. They are different defects with completely different repairs, so check your VIN against both.
Why does my Acura recall notice list Honda models too?
American Honda builds Acura and Honda vehicles with shared steering hardware, so one campaign covers both brands. The gearbox corrosion recall pairs the 2024 RDX with 2023-2024 Odysseys, and the worm gear recall spans Civic, CR-V, HR-V and the Integra.
What should I do if the steering suddenly turns hard?
Honda's notices say to see a dealer immediately if the steering feels stiff or unusual. Keep both hands on the wheel, slow down, avoid tight low-speed maneuvers, and call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 to arrange the free repair.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.